Helmet headset mounting assembly and method

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

0001This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/441,392, filed Nov. 16, 1999, now abandoned, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for any purpose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002This invention is related in general to the field of helmet communications systems for use with audio systems such as citizen's band (“CB”) radios, stereos, intercoms, tape and compact disk (“CD”) players, and the like. Examples of such audio accessories include speakers, microphones, and the like. In particular, the invention consists of a novel mounting assembly for securing electronic communications components to helmets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0003Helmets are widely used to enhance the safety of persons riding vehicles such as motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), and snowmobiles. It is desirable for a wearer of a helmet to be able to communicate with other individuals, be able to listen to radio, tape, CB, MP3, music, GPS audio commands, CD player, or other types of audio signals. It is also desirable for a wearer of a helmet to talk to other individuals. This is accomplished by placing audio accessories such as speakers and microphones on or inside the helmet, in close proximity to the wearers mouth and ears. This allows a wearer to listen and speak without interfering with the operation of the vehicle. The combination of microphone assembly and speakers is referred to as a helmet headset.

0004A means for attaching a headset to a helmet is desirable. Additionally, a means for physically supporting a headset so that microphones and speakers are positioned in optimal locations for use by the wearer is desirable. This is usually accomplished by placing a clamp or other mounting assembly on the helmet. Wires are generally used to attach the microphones and speakers to an electrical connector on or near the mounting assembly. Additionally, the mounting assembly may be used to support a microphone assembly. The mounting assembly also typically possesses an electrical connector for attaching the mounting assembly to external communications devices, such as a CD, CB, radio, etc. This provides an electrical connection from external communications devices to the mounting assembly and, by extension, to the audio accessories or headset.

0005Audio mounting assemblies for attaching audio headsets to helmets are known and have been the subject of numerous U.S. patents. Lazzeroni, et. al. U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,525 discloses a headset mount design that uses a clamp to securely attach audio accessories to a location near the bottom edge of a helmet. Pratt U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,209 discloses a mount that is fastened to the outer side of the helmet using a layer of adhesive material. These methods of attaching audio accessories require that electrical wires run over an edge the helmet. This exposes the wires to the possibility of becoming snagged and damaged.

0006One patent which discloses a clampless helmet mounting system is Lewis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,333 entitled GAS MASK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. Lewis discloses a gas mask with a threaded mounting post and electrical connection pass through. The pass through electrical connection is a bayonet connector which allows an external microphone to be removably mounted.

0007A second patent of interest is Belanger U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,100, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UDNERWATER ACOUSTIC RECEIVING SYSTEM INSTALLATION IN DIVING HELMET. Belanger discloses a hole extending from a diving helmet with a waterproof connector mounted in and positioned partially through said hole and a female plug-receptacle fixedly mounted in a portion of said connector and having at least two contacts for electrical interconnection with a male plug from an acoustic receiving system.

0008It has become increasingly common for a wearer of a helmet to connect a helmet headset to more than one type or brand of audio system. For example, a wearer of a helmet may wish to connect the headset to an audio/communications system on a Harley Davidson Touring motorcycle and alternatively use the same helmet with the audio system on a Honda Gold Wing along with a CB/FRS communications device on an ATV. This requires that the helmet headset be able to be properly connected to various types of audio or communications devices.

0009Therefore it is desirable to have a mounting assembly that can be electrically connected to a plurality of different types of audio communications devices.

0010It is also desirable to have a mounting assembly that can be electrically connected to a plurality of different audio accessories.

0011It is likewise desirable to have a mounting assembly that can provide physical support for boom microphones.

0012It is desirable to have a mounting assembly wherein electrical pathways pass through a helmet, allowing electrical communications devices external to a helmet to be electrically connected to audio accessories internal to the same helmet.

0013It is further desirable to have a mounting assembly which will allow a plurality of different types of audio communications devices to be electrically connected to and function with a plurality of different types of audio accessories.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0014The clampless headset mounting assembly according to this invention comprises a mounting post which is inserted through a hole in a helmet. The mounting post extends through the hole in the helmet and has both an internal end and an external end. The mounting post possesses multiple electrical conductors which run through the mounting post, electrically connecting an internal connector to an external connector.

0015The external connector is used to electrically attach the electrical connector to wires or cable assemblies which are, in turn, connected to audio communications devices residing on an associated vehicle. Additionally, the external connector provides a physical connection between the mounting post and the external wires or cable assemblies.

0016The internal connector is used to electrically connect the electrical conductors to wires which are, in turn, connected to a microphone assembly and speakers. A base on the interior end of the mounting post assists in supporting the mounting post inside the helmet. A retainer is used on the external end of the mounting post to secure the mounting post to the outside of the helmet. The combination of internal base and external retainer secure the mounting post to the helmet. The base can also be used to support elements of the headset, such as the microphone assembly.

0017So that a plurality of different types of headsets may be used with the mounting assembly, the internal connector is comprised of numerous individual electrical connectors which may be used in a plurality of combinations. The audio system that the type of headset is used with will determine which of various hookup cord assemblies will be used to connect the helmet headset to the audio system.

0018Likewise, in order to use the mounting assembly with a plurality of different types of audio communications devices and their associated cables or wire harnesses, the external connector is comprised of numerous individual electrical connectors which may be used in a plurality of combinations. The type of audio communications device and its associated cable or wire harness will determine which of the individual electrical connectors comprising the external electrical connection is used.

0019Since only some of the individual electrical connectors comprising the internal connector may be used at any given time and likewise for the individual electrical connectors comprising the external connector, the multiple electrical conductors which travel through the mounting post may also be used in a plurality of different combinations. This allows numerous types of headset to be electrically connected to numerous types of audio communications devices.

0020Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a means for passing multiple electrical conductors through a helmet.

0021It is another object of this invention to provide a means for passing multiple electrical conductors through a helmet without using flexing wires.

0022It is still another object of this invention to provide a means for electrically connecting an internal headset to one of a variety of external audio communications devices.

0023It is another object of this invention to provide a means for supporting members of a headset so that they are positioned according to the desire of the wearer of the helmet.

0024It is yet another object of this invention to minimize the size of an interior portion of a means for supporting members of a headset to reduce the potential for injury.

0025The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by securing a headset assembly to a helmet, supporting the headset microphone assembly, and electrically connecting the headset to one of a plurality of different types of external communications devices and its associated cable assembly. Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows and from the novel features particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

0026The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exploded view illustrating the main components of a Clampless Headset Mounting Assembly according to the invention.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view of the clampless headset mounting assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrating electrical connectivity according to the invention.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an exploded view of the electronics housing, threaded retainer, cheek cushion, microphone wire, and speaker wires of the clampless headset mounting assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an external view of a helmet with an attached clampless headset mounting assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> according to the invention.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a cut-away illustration of the helmet with full coverage style helmet with the attached clampless headset mounting assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> according to the invention.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a partial cross section of the helmet of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, taken along lines <b>5</b>A<b>1</b>—<b>5</b>A<b>1</b> and <b>5</b>A<b>2</b>—<b>5</b>A<b>2</b> thereof.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cut-away illustration of an open faced style helmet with attached clampless headset mounting assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0034A clampless helmet mounting assembly <b>10</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. A mounting post <b>12</b> contains multiple alternative electrical pass-through conductors or wires which run from one end of the post to an opposite end of the post. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one end of the post <b>12</b> is formed into a base <b>14</b> which is used to support the post inside an helmet. The other end of the post forms a multiple-conductor connector <b>16</b>. This connector <b>16</b> is used to electrically couple the multiple electrical pass-through conductors of the post to a wire harness or cable <b>18</b>. The wire harness <b>18</b> can be used to connect the helmet headset to an audio communication device. Alternatively, the wire harness <b>18</b> can be used as an adapter cable to connect the helmet headset to yet another cable which is, in turn, connected to an audio communication device. The connector <b>16</b> also provides physical support for a connector <b>20</b> inherent in the cable <b>18</b>. The cable <b>18</b> is used to provide an electrical connection between the helmet mounting assembly <b>10</b> and one or more external electrical communications devices <b>22</b> such as a radio, Cd player, tape player, or wireless telephone. In the preferred use of the invention, these external electrical devices reside on a vehicle such as a motorcycle, bicycle, ATV, or snowmobile.

0035The mounting post is inserted into an aperture <b>13</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>) which has been created in a helmet. A retainer <b>24</b> is used to engage the mounting post <b>12</b> and attach the mounting assembly to an exterior side of the helmet. The combination of the base <b>14</b> and the retainer <b>24</b>, along with the mounting post <b>12</b> itself, secure the mounting assembly to the helmet. Numerous methods could be used to secure the mounting post to the helmet, such as a clip assembly or jagged retaining posts, etc. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a threaded post and a threaded retainer are used. The retainer <b>24</b> could be designed to completely encapsulate the mounting post threads. This would protect the threads from being damaged by contact with sides of the hole passing through the helmet. An optional protective cover <b>26</b> is used to provide a cushion between the mounting assembly <b>10</b> and the cheek or head or a wearer of the helmet. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting post <b>12</b> comprises external threads and the retainer <b>24</b> comprises internal threads for engaging the external threads of the post.

0036The multiple electrical conductors passing through the post <b>12</b> are connected to one or more transducers such as a microphone <b>28</b> or one or more speakers <b>30</b>. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a boom microphone assembly <b>32</b> is attached to and supported by the base <b>14</b>. An alternate embodiment of the invention may possess a microphone attached to the interior front surface of a full coverage style helmet, eliminating the need for the base <b>14</b> to support a boom. Electrical conductors or wires electrically connect the microphone <b>28</b> to the conductors passing through the post. The microphone assembly <b>32</b> may be comprised of a microphone <b>28</b>, electrical wires, and a boom. A boom, if used, allows the wearer of the helmet to position the microphone <b>28</b> in a position which is comfortable and effective for converting his/her speech into electrical signals. These signals are passed through the microphone assembly <b>32</b>, through the base <b>14</b>, through the post <b>16</b>, and through the cable <b>18</b> to an external electrical communications device <b>22</b>.

0037Electrical signals originating from an external electrical communications device <b>22</b> are passed through the cable <b>18</b>, through the post <b>12</b>, through the base <b>14</b>, and through wires <b>34</b> to one or more speakers <b>30</b>. The speakers <b>30</b> convert the electrical signals into acoustical energy.

0038A side view of the clampless helmet mounting assembly <b>10</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an exploded view of the base <b>14</b>, threaded post <b>12</b>, threaded retainer <b>24</b>, cheek cushion <b>26</b>, microphone assembly <b>32</b>, speaker wires <b>34</b>, connector <b>16</b>, and speakers <b>30</b> of the clampless headset mounting <b>10</b>.

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an external view of a helmet <b>36</b> with an attached clampless headset mounting assembly <b>10</b>. An external cable <b>18</b>, associated connector <b>20</b>, and external electronic communications device <b>22</b> are illustrated. Additionally, a speaker <b>30</b> and its associated wire <b>34</b> are shown placed along the internal surface of the helmet.

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a cut-away illustration of the helmet <b>36</b> with an attached clampless headset mounting assembly <b>10</b>. The base <b>14</b>, microphone <b>28</b>, and microphone assembly <b>32</b> are illustrating residing inside the helmet <b>36</b>. In this embodiment, the microphone assembly <b>32</b> is comprised of two or more wires connecting the base <b>14</b> to a stationary microphone <b>28</b> attached to the interior of the front of the helmet <b>36</b>.

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cut-away illustration of an open face helmet <b>38</b> with an attached clampless headset mounting assembly <b>10</b>. The base <b>14</b>, microphone <b>28</b>, and microphone assembly <b>32</b> are illustrated. In this embodiment, the microphone assembly <b>32</b> is comprised of a boom with inherent electrical pathways which can be adjusted to position the microphone <b>28</b> as desired by the helmet wearer.

0042A wearer of a helmet may wish to connect a clampless mounting assembly to one of a plurality of different types of external electronic communications devices <b>22</b>. These different types of devices may require different combinations of electrical conductors through which they send and receive electrical signals. In order to accommodate a large range of types of communications devices, the numerous electrical conductors passing through the post <b>12</b> can be configured into a plurality of different subsets of conductors. Only the conductors necessary to communicate with an attached external electronic communications device <b>22</b> are used at any given time. Attaching a different external electronic communications device <b>22</b> may result in a different set of electrical conductors being selected. Electrical conductors necessary to communicate with an attached external electronic communications device <b>22</b> are referred to as active conductors. Unused electrical conductors are referred to as passive or unused conductors.

0043In order for the speakers <b>30</b> and microphones <b>28</b> of the headset assembly to communicate properly with the electrical conductors passing through the post <b>12</b>, electrical signals must be switched. The means for selecting active conductors is shown in patent application Ser. No. 09/441,392, filed Nov. 16, 1999 (“SWITCHING MEANS”). The SWITCHING MEANS is used to switch electrical signals between active conductors passing through the post <b>12</b> and the wires attached to the speakers <b>30</b> and microphones <b>28</b>. Additionally, use of the SWITCHING MEANS may allow different types of microphones <b>28</b> or speakers <b>30</b> to be used.

0044The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, to exclude equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, if being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.